The oriental idea of the universe does not differ fundamentally
in its general conception, from that of modern science, but it
goes farther and explains more. The physics of the secret
doctrine are based upon a material universe of four planes of
vibration and a spiritual universe of three planes of vibration
beyond matter. This Something in vibration may be given the
English name, Consciousness--without entering upon its nature.

Spirit is consciousness in vibration and undifferentiated.

Matter is consciousness in vibration and differentiated.

As we divide the seven octaves of a piano into Treble and Bass
for clearness of thought and writing, so the Hidden Knowledge
divides the seven octaves of vibration, or planes, into Spirit
and Matter. In their ultimate analysis they are one and the same
thing, as ice and water are the same thing; but for study they
must be differentiated.

The material and physical universe consists of four planes of
matter, or four great octaves of vibration, each differentiated
from the other as in our physics prakriti is differentiated from
ether. The material universe, the ancient physics teach, was
originally pure thought, Manasa, the product of the spiritual
planes above. This manasic world was differentiated, a real
world. That is to say it was given elementary substances by the
union of its atoms in different sized molecules. Some of its
elements combined and formed Prana. The prana gathered and
formed other worlds, pranic worlds. Then in the pranic world